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Sunday, April 9, 2017

Secret Surprises Are The Best!

I finally had a chance to work on a secret surprise for another unsuspecting person! I started last year making little surprise quilts for a random people who have in one way or another been a part of my quilting journey. I've said it more than once, quilty friends are the best. If I can surprise one person and put a smile on their face, that makes me very, very happy! With a little time on my hands, I was able to finish a project I started a couple months ago. As with many of us, life can get crazy! We go with it, we do what needs to be dealt with and patiently wait for the time to do what we really want to do! Life!

Spirit Heart17" x 15"

Let the fun begin! I knew I was going to use every square inch of the red polka dot fat eight fabric. I didn't want any small pieces left that would languish in a discarded pile. I cut 1" wide strips (just a tad less) of white and red fabric, and stitched each one together making one piece.

The fun began when I cut this strip to make the tiny little square frame for the heart! It isn't easy keeping something so small straight, but I did my best.

I had a few ideas for the border blocks which included half square triangles. Thank you Bloc-Loc for making the task of trimming HST's so much easier and faster! I can't imagine life without it!

I guess I should tell you the first blocks I decided to make were Mini Raspberry Kiss paper pieced blocks. They are the cutest ever blocks ever! The blocks finish at 2"...mini indeed...and it's a free pattern on Craftsy. Click here for the pattern: Mini Raspberry KissThe size of the Kiss blocks determined the size of all the rest of the blocks in the border. A few nine patch, geese, kisses and ribbon star blocks should get me the border I'm envisioning!

Admittedly, it was a tough little border to work through! But it came together and for the most part worked out.

I stitched all around the bias tape heart before quilting the rest of the mini. The center is vertical lines that line up with the frame squares.

I wasn't sure about quilting in red thread for the background heart. I was fully prepared to pull out the seam ripper if it didn't work. Boy, am I glad it worked!!

This will be in the mail in a couple days! Let's hope it surprises and puts a smile on the unsuspecting victim!

Thank you for the kind words Kate! The border blocks were a little tough and didn’t come off without a hitch (clearly they are funky)! But it sure was fun and I hope it brings joy to whoever receives it!

Wow this is beautiful! When I saw the first pic, it looked like a drawing on graph paper. May I copy your heart design? I love that it is made with an S (at least it looks like it) and my name starts with S.